Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates both Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the Passion.  Rites that observe this day have been passed down through generations of Christians. In fact, the pilgrim Egeria describes a Palm Sunday observance in Jerusalem around 381-384. As the people walked down the Mount of Olives and into the city, they waved branches of palm or olive trees, sang psalms, and shouted the antiphon, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" 

By the twelfth century, the custom of blessing the palms with a procession was widely accepted, though cermonies could differ greatly. 

St. John's, too, will participate in the tradition of this special rite. We hope you will all join us in the Palm Sunday procession on April 13 and hear the Passion narrative. The 8 a.m. service will begin in the church with the Liturgy of the Palms.